The resonant chime signifying his ascension to Level 3 faded, leaving Xen in the quiet dimness of the crevice, his systems humming with restored energy (EN: 150.0/150) and the fresh potential gleaming on his HUD. ATTRIBUTE POINTS AVAILABLE: 3. SKILL POINTS AVAILABLE: 1. (XP: 50/400). It was time to invest.
He accessed the allocation interface, the memory of the tunnel skirmish stark in his processors. His agility (DEX 13) and processing power (INT 11/CPU 11) had been vital, but the damage he’d sustained, even from small vermin, highlighted his critical lack of durability. Ignoring VIT any longer felt like willful negligence. He needed a balance, shoring up his weaknesses while still enhancing his strengths, aligning with the adaptable survival focus outlined in the lore documents [].
System, allocate Attribute Points: +1 INT, +1 DEX, +1 VIT.
Yes.
The integration felt slightly more pronounced this time. A distinct sharpening of his analytical processes (INT 12, Modifier now +1). His frame felt primed for even quicker reactions (DEX 14, Modifier now +2).
And Maybe deep down, a slight but welcome reinforcement to his core systems (VIT 7), promising a fractional, almost imperceptible boost to passive repair when sheltered and better resistance to debilitating effects. Every bit counted towards longevity.
Next, the Skill Point. His newly crafted [Improvised Energon Projector] was functional, but [Improvised Assembly] held the key to unlocking its true potential. The choice was clear.
System, allocate Skill Point to [Improvised Assembly].
Yes.
<[Improvised Assembly] Leveled Up to Lvl 3! Increased success chance for complex assemblies, significantly reduced chance of 'Poor' quality results, unlocks multi-component schematic modification potential & basic component repair diagnostics. Proficiency: 0.0%.>
Level 3 Assembly! The description explicitly mentioned multi-component modifications and repair diagnostics – exactly what he needed! He felt a deeper, more intuitive grasp flow into his processors – understanding component synergy, energy flow dynamics, structural stress points. He felt more like an engineer, less like someone just sticking parts together.
Eager to assess his primary tool with his enhanced stats, Xen hefted the [Improvised Energon Projector (Fair)]. He needed to understand its baseline performance before modifying it further. Aiming carefully at the large scrap slab at the back of the crevice, his DEX 14 providing noticeably steadier aim despite the weapon's inherent flaws, he touched the relay trigger.
FZZZT-CRACK!
The focused energy beam leaped out, striking the target precisely where he aimed this time, gouging a deeper, hotter scorch mark. The improved Dexterity seemed to effectively negate much of the accuracy penalty from the cracked lens, at least at this short range! The discharge felt stable, potent thanks to the capacitor and quality cable. This weapon was already a vast improvement.
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As the scorch mark faded, his newly upgraded IA skill triggered a System analysis prompt, reflecting the potential unlocked by Level 3.
<[Improvised Assembly] Lvl 3 Analysis: Current Projector configuration functional for Focused Beam discharge. Integrated [Positronic Relay (Micro)] capable of handling secondary discharge circuit routing. Potential Schematic Modification Identified: 'Dual Discharge Circuit'. Enables toggling (via relay input) between Focused Beam (existing) and Conical Energy Burst (Short Range / Area Effect / Est. 3 EN Cost?).
Requires dedicated burst capacitor circuit. Component Required: [Micro-Capacitor (Type Gamma)] x1. Compatible component signature detected within nearby discarded [Damaged Flight Recorder (Depleted Husk)]. Warning: Increased schematic complexity may slightly increase base malfunction chance (Est. +2% to base 8% -> 10% total?) without further stabilization (e.g., via Resistor Array integration).>
A burst mode! The System, prompted by his new skill level, was practically handing him the schematic, confirming the integrated relay could handle basic mode switching.
It just needed one more capacitor. And the System confirmed compatible signatures within the flight recorder husk he'd discarded right here in the crevice debris after the previous salvage operation! He hadn't completely gutted it.
Hope surged. He quickly located the scarred, cracked husk amidst the junk pile where he'd left it. It looked even more fragile now, but potentially held the key component. He focused his scanner.
[Scan Analysis: Damaged Flight Recorder (Depleted Husk)] [Remaining Potential Components: [Micro-Capacitor (Type Gamma)] x1 (Condition: Good), [Micro-Capacitor (Type Gamma)] x1 (Condition: Minor Damage), [Shielded Resistor Array (Intact)] x1, [Positronic Relay (Micro)] x1 (Severe Energy Instability Warning!)] [Structural Integrity: Very Low - Further manipulation attempts carry High Risk (Est. 50% Failure/Damage), increased risk near unstable relay.]
One good capacitor remained viable! The risk was still high (50%), but his IA skill was Lvl 3 now, granting a better chance of success (likely a +2 bonus to the INT check). He needed that capacitor for the burst mode.
He carefully retrieved the husk. Focusing his enhanced INT 12 (+1 Mod), MM Lvl 1 (Proficiency 2.6%), and the crucial IA Lvl 3 (+2 Skill Bonus), he targeted the intact capacitor, meticulously working around the unstable relay. (MM Prof -> 2.7%). (IA Prof -> 0.1%).
Click! It came free! His improved skill and stats made the difference on the high-risk attempt.
<+5 XP Gained! (High-Risk Component Extraction Successful)> XP: 55/400.
He had it! The second capacitor. He looked at the recorder husk, now missing its most valuable remaining accessible part. Its potential value seemed minimal compared to the risk of disturbing the unstable relay or using an inventory slot. He gently pushed the now almost entirely useless recorder husk back into the scrap pile, leaving it for good this time.
His inventory now held his last [Energon Crystal (Medium-Grade) x1] and the newly acquired [Micro-Capacitor (Type Gamma)] x1 (Slots Used: 2/5).
He looked at the parts ready for the next stage: the [Improvised Energon Projector (Fair)] (containing the Lens, Cable, and Relay #1) and the second [Micro-Capacitor (Type Gamma)]. He also had the low-grade wiring cluster nearby for auxiliary connections if needed. His [Improvised Assembly] skill was at Level 3, giving him the theoretical knowledge and improved practical chance to attempt the 'Dual Discharge Circuit' modification.
It wouldn't be easy. Integrating a second capacitor and wiring the relay to toggle between two distinct firing modes was significantly more complex than his previous builds.
But the payoff – having both a focused shot and a close-range burst – would be immense, especially for dealing with swarms like the Cyber-Vermin guarding the tunnels.
He felt ready. Focused. Prepared to push his skills further. He retrieved the second capacitor from his inventory, placing it beside the Projector on his makeshift workspace, ready to begin the next evolution of his improvised weaponry.